Simple nudges that get readers to pay, tip, or buy
Example lines that gently move people to paying for your work, without the hard sell.
Asking readers for money can feel a little (or extremely) awkward.
You know your newsletter takes time, energy, and skill, but you don’t want to come off as grabby. It’s not a business, right?
Wrong. And I’m going to be writing more about that soon.
Asking for money is hard. We’re worried about upsetting our readers, or putting too many people off.
But a good upsell1 doesn’t shout or guilt trip. It gives readers a clear way to support you, reminds them of what they’ll get in return, and does it with a light touch. And it doesn’t have to be your primary aim.
For this piece, I’m going to refer to these upsells as nudges, and you can find them everywhere. Your welcome email, the top of a post, a footer, or even a quick Note.
What matters is making the nudge sound like a natural extension of your writing rather than just an advert. These are short and sweet, not longer upsells like those you’ll find in the recent email header post.
Let’s look at some examples you can adapt for your own publication.
Subtle nudges
These quiet nudges have more of an impact when used over a longer period of time.
You’re reminding readers that support is an option, but you’re not pressing them. This works best when your audience is still getting to know you, or when you want to maintain a lighter tone.
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These lines can work because they create clarity. You’re not pleading or begging for money. You’re simply saying, ‘here’s what you get now, and here’s what you can unlock if you step inside.’